In present work, we report on a new zirconia-based ceramic composite that was obtained by infiltration of biscuit-sintered Y-TZP blanks with a pre-ceramic polysilazane-derived precursor and subsequent thermal treatment. Two grades of zirconia powder (TZ-3YSB-E - Coarse and TZ-3YB-E - Fine) with different crystallite size and surface area were used. A series of porous 3Y-TZP ceramics with an open porosity of maximum 37% were produced by dry pressing and biscuit-sintering at 1125-1300oC in air. The porous samples were infiltrated and then subjected to a thermal treatment at a temperature of 1000oC in air.

The influence of infiltration process on mechanical properties of composites was determined. TEM and SEM observation were carried out to characterize the microstructure. The mechanical properties (flexural strength, hardness and elastic modulus) were measured. The correlation between microstructural features and mechanical properties of infiltrated zirconia ceramic was discussed.